1d12 angry minotaurs arrive, wielding greataxes.
Time Limits in D&D
A ticking clock always adds urgency and drama. A time deadline is a classic storytelling device that can be used effectively in D&D and other RPGs.
The film High Noon frequently features a clock in the background of scenes, reminding the audience that time is running out. In Escape from New York, Snake is given only 24 hours to save the president.
Putting a time limit on certain tasks in D&D can keep your players focused and add twists to keep things interesting. For example:
- The alchemist’s lab will explode in ten rounds. The players need to grab the potion and get out fast, but fighting the guards slows them down.
- In six rounds, the golem will wake and attack the party. The party may want to linger while searching the chest, but they know there will be consequences.
Think of ideas that fit your sessions and try them out. Any time limit can make a session move faster and be more memorable.
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